Finding a career: pre-professional advice

Seniors: Need a good answer for the dreaded question "So, what are you doing next year?" Career office advisers are standing by to help you plan for senior year and beyond. We've got the resources, expertise and encouragement you need. Here's a checklist to get you started:

Meet with your CELS adviser – We are here to help you create and execute your plan, set goals, and strategize to make the most of the next three, six, nine and 12 months.

Dedicate the time — A job search or graduate school application process is equivalent to the time commitment of taking another class. Expect to commit a couple of hours per day, for a total of several hours per week, to the process.

Attend opportunities on campus — See the CELS Newsletter, Twitter and Facebook for additional details on the events listed below.

Sundays With Alumni — Hear directly from alumni about career fields and life advice.

Fall Weekend — Hear from alumni, students and staff about how the College's CELS office is facilitating professional connections between current students and the vibrant alumni community.

Career discussions on sustainability — Hear from seniors who had internships in the field and learn how to best present your skills related to sustainability.

Graduate and law school panels

Employer information tables and sessions throughout the year

Boston and New York recruiting consortia — Interview/career fair opportunities in Boston (LARC) and New York (NYRC). Contact Cheryl Banker, 860-439-2775 or caban@conncoll.edu.

Career bootcamp — CELS worked with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) on an intensive one-week pilot program that will debut on campus in January.

Recommendations and references — Think about whom you could ask to write you letters of recommendation or serve as a reference for future jobs and/or graduate school. Consult them now, provide a resumé or CV, and keep them updated on what you are doing.